49ers’ crossroads game: The Harbaugh-Baalke-Kaepernick Style only works if they win, and win big

They’re not changing, not a bit, and they will not change: Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke and Colin Kaepernick are not warm and cheery personalities and they never will be.

This isn’t just a them-vs.-media thing. It’s a them-vs.-everybody thing for these guys, though maybe their fans don’t want to hear it.

Beyond the media give-and-take, there is no debating that Harbaugh and Baalke, in particular, are not exactly cuddly, emotive, huggable types around 49ers HQ, around NFL circles, around just about anywhere and anybody they see.

And Kaepernick, while popular with his teammates, isn’t exactly a vocal and charismatic leader at this point in his career and almost certainly will never be a QB Statesman, as so many of the great ones develop into.

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Before everybody starts yelling at me, I will say now what I always say: If you win games, it mostly doesn’t matter how you act, and sometimes the edgier, most difficult personalities are the ones that win the most.

It just so happens that winning games is just about the only thing the HBKs are willing to offer or share. They are not giving up their private lives or thoughts, just are not.

This is NOT a general rippage of Harbaugh, Baalke and Kaepernick, though I know many of their fans will read it as such.

They are who they are. That’s all understood and accepted and fans don’t care if Kaepernick is short with the media, if Harbaugh
stolidly declines to explain the team’s thinking, and if Baalke refuses to take questions during difficult moments (or just about any moment).

Reality: The more frequently the less appealing aspects of the Harbaugh-Baalke-Kaepernick public personas are pointed out, the less any of these guys will do to improve their sour, dour, ornery, and occasionally self-defeating traits.
They’re are all naturally closed-down people who distrust all outsiders, are fueled by that distrust, and they retreat deeper and deeper when times get tough, which is now, of course.

And for any of it to come out right, they have to win, as they have won, and they have to keep winning, which is something they’re trying to figure out right now.

If they win, their terse appearances are viewed as the proper disciplined stance–they’re not showy, they’re just winners.

If they lose, their refusals to answer questions could mean they don’t have answers, could be pure stubbornness, could be very frustrating for those who sort of would like some attempt at an answer.

And if they lose while enabling troubled players like Aldon Smith, and of course still decline to give real answers (other than what Jed York has given), well, that’s when the atmosphere gets a little stormy.

You’re buying the tickets, I think you want answers to some of this, no?

But if the HBKs win, it doesn’t matter. That’s how this entire operation is set up: They don’t want hugs, they demand respect, and they don’t want touchy-feely emotion to ever get in the way.

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Ask Tarell Brown. Ask Parys Haralson. Ask Alex Smith.

I’m not saying the 49ers have made the wrong decisions, but the 49ers do shake their fists so often at the outside world that you can wonder if they’re more concerned with shaking their fists than concentrating on making the right decisions.

Again, it comes down to winning. And to tonight’s threshold game. It’s a short week, on the road against a division opponent, which is tough. But if the 49ers get through this, they’ll have a nice long week to get ready for next Sunday’s home game against Houston.

And after that, the 49ers get Arizona, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Carolina–which means a win tonight could lead pretty swiftly to a 7-2 record.

In fact, I think the odds point to something like that, because Harbaugh, Baalke and Kaepernick are talented and they are fiercely devoted to winning games–nothing else, damn the rest of the world.

That’s how they force us to judge them and I respect that they’re not trying to deceive anybody: Harbaugh, Baalke and Kaepernick are judged by the results of the games, period.

Just an excellent breakdown TK. I don’t get that the Niners are enabling Aldon Smith, but that debate seems pointless now. Hopefully he’s getting what he needs during this time and comes back and makes amends with the community and his teammates.

We need this game tonight. Don’t care if it’s pretty or not. A W gets us on the right track again, especially against an opponent who proved quite stingy last season for us.

It seems like a good choice to me not to elaborate all of their answers in media sessions. I would probably take the same approach. The mentality comes from a life of competition. Answering questions elaborately would result in competitors getting a better feel for what the 49ers strategy has been and may be on Sunday. We need every advantage we can get in the National Football League. Winning or losing.

Dirk Suave

7-2? Wow. How’s about we just take it one game at a time? Tonite is a must win. They have to keep pace with Seattle. Rams and Fisher are gonna be tough. That TE the Rams signed from the Titans has opened up that offense a bit. Arizona is no sure win either. Palmer and Fitz are connecting and it’s divisional, which means I expect Arizona to play very hard. Tennessee is very winnable and so is Jacksonville. Carolina just skunked the Giants and Cam is the type of QB that gives the Njners fits. And that’s with Aldon Smith. Just hope Smith’ absence doesn’t turn out like last year when the other Smith got hurt.
Let’s get to 2-2.
Go Niners!

hwjr57

We’re talking about football players and coaches. The only reason their personality should matter is if it affects their behavior on the field. How they behave in an interview only matters to the person giving the interview. Sort of like how all those journalists just loved MacGwire and Sosa and hated Bonds, based on THE PERSONALITY THEY PORTRAYED TO THE MEDIA. Then it turns out, they’re all flawed. Just like the journalists who care about fluff like that. If you don’t like the way a guy does interviews, guess what? It doesn’t matter. The power of the pen has gone to your head. Be an adult. Write about sports. Don’t get your panties in a bunch because someone rubs you the wrong way.

MrU5h3r

As for enabling Aldon Smith. It was probably to short of time frame to get him into rehab before the game. The only function of stopping him from playing on Sunday would be to exclude him from the team. (He stopped receiving “time outs” around the age of 7) He was introduced to rehab after the game, and will not be aloud to play until someone makes an educated guess to whether or not his life is heading in a better direction. Don’t complain if it’s only 2 weeks of rehab. I had a DUI (pulled over for improper tail lights) and 3 days of class was more than excessive for me. I had learned my lesson from losing my license already. Aldon may come to the realization that he will effectively throw his gift of a life away if he keeps this up. Someone has to have told him that already. Stem your criticism until the young man does it again. Then the league and the team must come down hard. Minimum 6 months treatment hard. This should be made clear to Aldon before returning from his current rehab. Also, all players with DUI’s should be treated somewhat equally.

Matthew Ceroni

You salvaged the article with the last paragraph. Do you know what fans hate the most? Not Harbaugh or Baalke or Kap not providing answers to stupid questions.

What we hate the most is sports reporters who somehow think they are as big as the game. That they provide a service that we as fans truly want and need. Sports writers are the biggest narcissists around.

Your opinions mean nothing to the true fans. Ya you throw out an article here and there that we may like to read. But when you ask questions and don’t get the answers you want and then complain not a single one of us cares that you are all butt hurt over it.

Get over yourselves.

MrU5h3r

I do appreciate sports writers. Sometimes, they do come off holier than thou though. I prefer professional articles to be based on analysis and some, but very little personal opinion from the writer. This article seems to be a big complaining fest about how hard it is to be a sports writer, when teams don’t come out and share their professional analysis on where their team is or is headed, strategically for the rest of the season.

reskanda

Aside from everything you mentioned Matt . the media have a job to do too. They have been hired to report on this team (and others). They are not trying to make life difficult for the players or the coaches. Their job is to ask questions and report. As leaders of this team there is absolutely no reason to be short and sometimes rude with them.

Matthew Ceroni

Disagree that they are not trying to make life difficult for players or coaches.

Have you ever seen some of the questions Cohn asks? He is trying to trip them up, create controversy, etc.

Not saying TK is doing that but many do.

Joe Mezzetta

The media always try to ask the “hard” questions or the controversial questions. Its always criticism rather than praise regardless of outcome. It just gets tiring. I like this article. That is the way these guys are and they are not going to change. Questions from writers/media mean what to them? These guys just want to win thats it. I can appreciate that. Talking to the media is a waste of their time. Its a joke. Let me think, do I want to talk to some idiot writers who last put a uniform when their mom’s took them out trick or treating? Or would I rather be with my team trying to figure out how to get better and how to win? Watch the documentary of Bill Belichick A Football Life talking to the media in a conference call. Hes eating his food and looking at his computer with little to no interest in talking to the media. Thats how most coaches think of the media Also youtube Phil Jackson talking with sideline reporter “Fruitcake” for some more visible examples.

reskanda

So because of Cohn every reporter should be short changed? There are exceptions in all aspects of life.

efrain

Stop handling the niners with kid gloves, that is not being a real fan, only a fanboy.

TK is right on the $ – The niners are who they are and only if they win they are fun, if they lose, well its a mess. Take Harbaugh’s background…his Bear’s coach Ditka was a sideshow and fun when they were monsters of the midway, when they lost he was a sideshow at best.

No difference in Harbaugh who was acerbic as a player and since.

The reality is the Niners have gone a route they cannot alter easily, they win by what they think is their way or they will fall on their collective faces.

Shame since one can argue that the last few years a few minor teaks (extra pass rusher, veteran DB, kick-returner, WR) would have gotten them over the hump they tripped on during the post season.

Typical of their personality – brash, unabashed, defiant. Nothing wrong when you W. Now when you L, there is the crux.

Nipper

Yeah better win or else. Big time sports like football demand all or nothing. When you lose you’re nothing in the NFL. No wonder Harbaugh keeps the media at arms length. Kaep has learned from the master.

Darrell Griffin

The only people who care about how people interact with the media is the media.

leftcoast

When a receiver drops a ball, good qbs go right back to them to develop their confidence and create an ongoing rapport. Anyone outside of Vernon or Boldin drops a ball, and they’re one and done. Having the tools, and Kaepernick has them, is not enough. You have to employ them strategically. We’ll see if his arrogance continues to dominate his decision-making.

Mark M

Not sure why you are responding to me since your points have nothing to do with what was said. I actually agree with your comments here.

Stop the silly name calling, it’s really just pathetic on an anonymous internet chat board. Your points are well thought out otherwise.

David Harte

What a pathetic performance to start this game.

Fact: this offensive line cannot pass block, not even a little. The pressure on Kaepernick is ridiculous, especially given the belief that these guys were somehow the best in the league.

So much for long-term contracts.

MrU5h3r

I think most of the criticism in this area is false. Kyle Williams has had a few, but hard for him to compete with taller defenders all day long. Bruce Miller keeps getting first down catches unnoticed. I have not seen many check downs to the running backs yet though. I don’t know if this is because they are blocking for Kaep, or if Kaep is not throwing to them. CK will improve this season.

cynic

As a fan, what more could anyone ask for? I think it’s you (the media) who wants the fluff. Fans only care about the bottom line. That’s completely aligned with the way HBK thinks and acts. Fine by me.

David Harte

Again, Mike Iupati is a HORRIBLE pass blocker. Just appalling feet. Fascinating to remember that he was described as the best guard in football, even a future Hall of Famer.

Laughable.

MrU5h3r

As demonstrated. They are the best “Run Blocking” line in the league. That’s how they were built. Just because we can throw the ball now doesn’t change the dudes in the trenches. They are built to bulldoze the defense. Having Gore doesn’t hurt either. Harbaugh demonstrated a humbled trait by allowing his superstar project QB be sidelined so Franky could gore the defense. Pun intended.

MrU5h3r

Probably because he’s such a superior run blocker that he could be the best guard in the league. He’s like an over-sized bowling ball, but the pins can “move around and stuff”.

David Harte

The issue going forward is pass blocking (especially if Staley is out for any time) and, of course, Kaepernick’s health.

Iupati is a great run blocker, but he really struggles against even above average pass rushers…the great players give him fits.

David Harte

You simply can’t believe that based on one game against one of the worst defenses in the league.

Nice game, great to see Gore finally get some help, but the real tests are to come.